Reducing the spread of pathogens in your facility has likely never been more front-of-mind given the current Coronavirus situation. One of the best and most effective ways to reduce the spread of pathogens is with handwashing espcially after using a pubil room. But don't forget to dry hands which effects on the germ removal process.
Dry hands are the critical last step in a handwashing procedure.
Two popular methods to dry hands include paper Hand Towel or air dryer. However, these two methods are not equal.
For example, did you know that jet air dryer can increase the amount of pathogens on fingers, leaving your hands dirtier than before the drying process?
Using paper towel to dry hands will dry hands more quickly, remove more bacteria, and cause less contamination.
In this article, we'll review the 6 benefits of using paper hand towel vs air dryer to help you understand why paper towel is safer and more effective.
1. Paper Towel Is More Hygienic
Pathogens can remain on people`s hands even after they wash their hands with soap and water. In fact, nearly 95% of adults do not wash long enough to thoroughly clean the bacteria and viruses from their hands.
Using a paper Hand Towel to rub hands dry will help remove some of the remaining pathogens on them. The physical motion helps kill pathogens as well as take them off the user`s hands.
Unlike paper towel, air dryer can actually increase the amount of bacteria on an individual's hands.
The air in restrooms contains bacteria from when toilets are flushed. The circulation of air from hand dryers can force the pathogens into the air and onto the user's hands.
2. Paper Towel Reduce the Amount of Germs in the Restroom
Air dryers remove water and moisture from the user`s hands by forcing air over them. Any remaining water and pathogens are blown from the user`s hands into the air and onto the surrounding surfaces like countertops and door knobs. Then when those surfaces are touched, pathogens adhere to people's hands and leave the restroom, increasing the risk of cross-contamination.
Hand dryer sometimes uses speeds of over 370 miles per hour (mph), spreading pathogens as far as five feet from the drying unit. Those pathogens can also linger in the air for up to 15 minutes.
Paper Hand Towel lower the risk of spreading pathogens through the air, reducing the risk of contaminating nearby surfaces. They capture pathogens and moisture from the user`s hands and can then be deposited into a nearby trash receptacle.Paper towel can also be used to shut off faucets and open doors so that building occupants don't have to come into contact with these high-touch surfaces.
3. Paper Towel is Faster Than Air Dryers
With a paper Hand Towel dispenser, the user simply grabs a paper towel and leaves. However, with a hand dryer it can take as long as 45 seconds to achieve the same dry as paper towels.
While the difference may not seem like much, those seconds are enough to discourage others to wait in line for the hand dryer and will instead leave the restroom.
Wet hands spread more pathogens than dry hands. Individuals who leave without drying hands put your facility at an increased risk of germ spread and cross-contamination.
Additionally, long lines in the restroom can lead to negative experiences, complaints and bad reviews.
4. Paper Towel is Quieter than Air Dryers
Hand dryers are noisier than paper Hand Towel dispensers. According to the research, the average jet air dryer produced a noise level of 94 dB, which is equivalent to a truck passing by. Loud noises can be disturbing to occupants, increasing complaints.
5. Sustainable Options are Available
One of the main complaints associated with paper Hand Towel is that they are not sustainable because of the paper waste.
However, paper hand towel can be composted to help ensure your restroom is waste-free.
Additionally, to minimize the environmental effects, paper towel can be sustainably sourced or made from recycled materials.
6. Available as a No Touch Solution
To further reduce germ spread, installing no-touch, one-at-a-time paper Hand Towel dispensers will ensure that people touch only what they need.
Not only do hands-free towel dispensers reduce germ spread, but they can also reduce the amount of unnecessary towel waste.
Although air dryers are marketed as no-touch solutions, the air produced to dry hands can actually increase germ spread and put your facility at a greater risk of an outbreak.
Final Conclusion
Paper Hand Towel is the best drying method to limit pathogens left behind on hands during the drying process, and to limit pathogens in the air and on surfaces.
It also drys hands faster and more efficiently than air dryers. When used with a no-touch, one at a time dispenser you can further reduce germ spread and minimize paper waste.
Additionally, when survey, 62% of people would rather use paper towels over air dryers. Paper towels in your restroom can provide a cleaner, healthier environment and increase customer satisfaction.